Orthodontic Bracket

ABSTRACT

An orthodontic bracket is described, and which includes a bracket base, which is releasably affixed to a patient&#39;s tooth; a bracket body borne on the bracket base, and which defines an arch wire slot, and which further has a selectively adjustable cross-sectional dimension; and an arch wire is received within the arch wire slot, and where the described embodiment of the bracket body, acting in combination with the arch wire is adjustable so as to provide a multiplicity of selective torque expressions, which act upon a patient&#39;s tooth.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional patent application is a divisional application ofcurrently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/970,100 filed onAug. 19, 2013 and titled ORTHODONTIC BRACKET by the same inventors,namely Paul L. Damon and Dwight H. Damon, both individuals and USresidents. The entire contents of the aforementioned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/970,100 is expressly incorporated herein by thisreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an orthodontic bracket, and morespecifically to an orthodontic bracket which defines a transverselydisposed arch wire slot which is selectively adjustable so as to providea variable cross-sectional dimension, and which further provides amultiplicity of selective torque expressions which individually forciblyact upon a patient's tooth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In our earlier U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/970,100, and whichwas filed on Aug. 19, 2013, we described an orthodontic bracket whichwhen used in combination with an arch wire provides first, second, andthird orders of movement of the patient's tooth without a clinicallypredetermined manipulation of the arch wire which is received in thetransversely disposed arch wire slot. The various forms of the inventionas disclosed in this pending US Patent Application provides a multitudeof patient and clinical advantages not possible in orthodonticappliances which have been utilized heretofore. The teachings of thisprior co-pending patent application are incorporated by referenceherein.

Generally speaking, first order movements are commonly thought of astooth rotation, and in/out tooth control. Further, second ordermovements are often referred to as “tipping” the root in a mesial and/ordistal angulation or elevation, and/or depression of a tooth position.Further, third order movement, or “couples,” have resulted in theexpression of “torque” which causes the axial inclination of a toothfrom a flared or uprighted orientation to its final and desiredposition.

From its earliest utilization, and to achieve ideal tooth positioning, aclinician has, heretofore, been required to bend round and rectangularshaped arch wires to express the in/out, up/down, tipping, and torque toaccomplish a final, desired tooth position. This activity not only tooklong periods of time, and advanced clinical practice skills, but it wasnearly impossible for most clinicians to control the resulting treatmentforces applied in all planes of space. As a result, treatment times forpatients were often unduly long in duration, and the resulting treatmentforces which were applied often had a negative long term impact on thepatient's bone and tissue.

In 1970, Dr. Larry Andrews invented what was later termed a “straightwire” appliance. This bracket design allowed significant improvements tofirst and second order movements, and lessened the need for thepredetermined bending of the arch wires. However, this design stilllacked adequate third order control of tooth axial inclination. The term“straight wire orthodontics” misled many clinicians to believe that onlyone bracket torque prescription on each anterior tooth was adequate toexpress a final desired tooth position. Unfortunately, without bendingrectangular arch wires to individualize finishing torque on individualteeth, this had nearly the same effect as treating patients using onlyround wires in the bracket arch wire slot. This, of course, negated anythird order control. For example, if a 0.019 inch×0.025 inch stainlesssteel rectangular working or finishing arch wire is placed in a 0.022inch arch wire slot, there is approximately 11 to 12 degrees of play, orfreedom of movement, in either direction, for a total of 22 to 24degrees of play or movement before a third order “torquing couple” isachieved between two opposite corners of the rectangular shaped archwire, and the opposing walls of the bracket arch wire slot. Over theyears, some clinicians have tried to fill the arch wire slot with largercross-sectional rectangular arch wires to achieve third order control,but many have found it difficult to finally position teeth due to thebinding, and friction which is experienced in the arch wire-bracketinterface. The use of these larger dimensioned finishing rectangulararch wires in most clinical settings resulted in the application ofunfavorable physical forces, in both magnitude, and direction which madefinal tooth positioning far more challenging for the clinician. Thisalso resulted in potentially negative, long term impact on the patient'sbone and tissue. For this reason, most clinicians have tried to bend theappropriate amount of torquing couple into the smaller dimensionedrectangular arch wires so as to correctly procline or upright the axialinclination of the teeth to their final desired position. It should bereadily apparent that the multitude of variations which may impact thethird order tooth movements are many, and consequently, orthodontiststypically are not readily able, in most clinical settings, to rapidly,and accurately calculate the amount of third order couple that isneeded, and the appropriate amount of force that should be applied to agiven tooth to achieve the desired amount of tooth movement.Consequently, because of clinician miscalculation, treatment times forany given patient are often extended as individual clinician's strive toachieve the desired tooth position, and alignment which is appropriate.Additionally, it will be recognized that this miscalculation of theappropriate amount of force to express third order torque may result inexcessive discomfort to the patient, and as previously mentioned,potentially negative long term potential health issues may arise for theorthodontically treated patient.

While the numerous advantages to be achieved by utilizing the variousforms of the orthodontic bracket as seen in our earlier filedapplication Ser. No. 13/745,638 are many, an ongoing need remains forthe development of an orthodontic bracket which is readily and easilyutilized by the clinician, in a clinical setting, and which furtherprovides a rapid means for adjusting the orthodontic bracket in order toachieve assorted first, second and third order movements of a patient'stooth in a manner not possible heretofore. A new orthodontic bracketwhich achieves these objectives is the subject matter of the presentapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an orthodonticbracket which includes a bracket base which is releasably affixed to ananterior facing surface of a patient's tooth; a bracket body borne onthe bracket base, and which has anterior facing surface with defines atransversely disposed arch wire slot, and which further has oppositefirst and second ends, and wherein the arch wire slot has a selectivelyadjustable cross-sectional dimension, and an arch wire received withinthe transversely disposed, arch wire slot, and wherein the bracket body,acting in combination with the arch wire, is adjustable so as to providea multiplicity of selective torque expressions which individually,forcibly act upon the patient's tooth.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an orthodonticbracket which includes a bracket base which is releasably affixed to ananterior facing surface of a patient's tooth; a bracket body whichmovably cooperates with the bracket base, and wherein the bracket bodyhas an anterior facing surface which defines, at least in part, atransversely disposed arch wire slot which communicates with theanterior facing surface of the bracket body; a bracket body insert whichis releasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot,and which further forms, at least in part, a portion of the transverselydisposed arch wire slot, and wherein the bracket body insert furtherselectively fixes the orientation of the movable bracket body relativeto the bracket base; and an arch wire received within the transverselydisposed arch wire slot, and wherein the movable bracket body, acting incombination with the bracket body insert, each respectively engage thearch wire to provide a multiplicity of torque expressions whichindividually forcibly act upon the patient's tooth.

Still another aspect of the present invention relates to an orthodonticbracket which includes a bracket base which is releasably affixed to ananterior facing surface of a patient's tooth; a bracket body mounted onthe bracket base, and which has an anterior facing surface which definesa transversely disposed cavity; an arch wire insert having a main bodywhich is defined by a longitudinal axis, and which is further receivedwithin the transversely disposed cavity, and wherein the main body ofthe arch wire insert further defines, at least in part, a transverselydisposed arch wire slot having a selectively adjustable cross-sectionaldimension, and wherein the arch wire insert is selectively rotatableabout the longitudinal axis thereof; a bracket body insert which isreleasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot, andwhich further has a main body which forms, at least in part, a portionof the arch wire slot, and wherein the bracket body insert substantiallyreleasably fixes the rotatable orientation of the arch wire insertrelative to the bracket body, and further selectively adjusts thecross-sectional dimension of the transversely disposed arch wire slotwhile the bracket base is releasably attached to the anterior facingsurface of the patient's tooth; and an arch wire received within thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and which, acting in combinationwith the arch wire insert, provides a multiplicity of selective torqueexpressions which individually forcibly act upon the patient's tooth.

Moreover, another aspect of the present invention relates to anorthodontic bracket which includes a bracket base having a pad which isreleasably affixed to an anterior facing surface of a patient's tooth,and wherein the bracket base has an anterior facing surface whichdefines a coupling portion having a curved anterior facing surface, andwherein a multiplicity of engagement regions are formed in apredetermined spatial pattern in the curved anterior facing surface ofthe coupling portion; a bracket body which matingly, and movablycooperates with the bracket base, and which has an anterior facingsurface defining an aperture, and which further defines, in part, anarch wire slot having spaced, top and bottom surfaces, and a givencross-sectional dimension, and wherein the transversely disposed archwire slot communicates with the aperture which is defined by theanterior facing surface of the bracket body, and is further accessiblefrom the anterior facing surface of the bracket body, and wherein thebracket body has a complementary, curved, posterior facing surface whichmatingly, and movably engages the curved, anterior facing surface of thecoupling portion of the bracket base; a bracket body insert which isreleasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot, andwhich further has a main body which forms a back wall of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the back wall extendsbetween the top and bottom surfaces of the arch wire slot, and whereinthe bracket body insert further has a main body with a predeterminedlength, height and thickness dimension, and wherein the bracket bodyinsert selectively adjusts the cross-sectional dimension of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the bracket bodyinsert further includes an engagement member which is orientedsubstantially perpendicularly relative to the main body thereof, andwhich further has a distal end which is operable to be received in oneof the engagement regions formed in the bracket base, and wherein theengagement member of the bracket body insert is effective in selectivelyfixing the rotatable orientation of the movable bracket body relative tothe bracket base; and an arch wire received within the transverselydisposed arch wire slot, and wherein the movable bracket body, acting incombination with the bracket body insert, selectively provides first,second, and third order torque couples to a patient's tooth to achieve aclinically desired positional correction of the patient's tooth withoutthe replacement of the bracket base during a predetermined clinicaltreatment regimen.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be described ingreater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below withreference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, side elevation view of one form of theorthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a greatly simplified view of a patient's tooth showingindividual orders of movement.

FIG. 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the first form of theorthodontic bracket as seen in FIG. 1, and which is taken from aposition along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an anterior, side elevation view of the first form of theorthodontic bracket as seen in FIG. 1, with the gate removed, to showthe structure thereunder.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective, side elevation view of a bracketbody which forms a feature of the first form of the orthodontic bracketas seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary, greatly enlarged side elevationview of a bracket base which finds usefulness in the first form of theorthodontic bracket as best seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective, side elevation view of a bracket body insertwhich finds usefulness in several forms of the orthodontic bracket asseen in the present application.

FIG. 7 is an anterior facing, side elevation view of a second form ofthe orthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a mesial, side elevation view of the second form of theorthodontic bracket as seen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an anterior, side elevation view of the second form of theorthodontic bracket, with the gate removed, to show the structurethereunder.

FIG. 10 is a perspective, greatly enlarged, anterior surface view of abracket base which finds usefulness in the second form of theorthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is an end view of a bracket body insert which finds usefulnessin the second form of the orthodontic bracket of the present invention.The end of the bracket body insert is shown in phantom lines toillustrate the structure therebehind.

FIG. 11B is a side elevation view of one possible form of the bracketbody insert which finds usefulness in the second form of the orthodonticbracket of the present invention.

FIG. 11C is an end view of yet another form of a bracket body insertwhich finds usefulness in the second form of the orthodontic bracket ofthe present invention. The end of the bracket body insert is shown inphantom lines to illustrate the structure therebehind.

FIG. 11D is a side elevation view of still another form of the bracketbody insert which finds usefulness in the second form of the orthodonticbracket as previously shown.

FIG. 12 is an anterior, side elevation view of yet another, third formof the orthodontic bracket of the present invention, and which has thegate removed to show the structure thereunder.

FIG. 13A shows a side elevation view of a bracket body insert whichfinds usefulness when employed with a third form of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13B shows a perspective, side elevation view of a bracket bodyinsert which finds usefulness when employed with the third form of theinvention.

FIG. 13C shows and end view of a bracket body insert which findsusefulness when employed with the third form of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a mesial, side elevation view of a fourth form of theorthodontic bracket of the present invention, and which shows a bracketbody insert positioned for engagement in a first orientation.

FIG. 15 is a second, mesial, side elevation view of the fourth form ofthe orthodontic bracket of the present invention, and which illustratesthe bracket body insert in a second, operational orientation.

FIG. 16 is yet another, mesial, side elevation view of the fourth formof the orthodontic bracket of the present invention, and which isillustrated in still another operational orientation.

FIG. 17 is perspective, side elevation view of a bracket body whichfinds usefulness in the fourth form of the orthodontic bracket of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective, side elevation view of an arch wire insertwhich is a feature of the fourth form of the orthodontic bracket of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19A illustrates a side elevation view of one form of the bracketbody insert which finds usefulness when used in the fourth form of theorthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 19B illustrates a side elevation view of another form of thebracket body insert and which finds usefulness when used in the fourthform of the orthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 19C illustrates a side elevation view of still another form of thebracket body insert and which finds usefulness when used in the fourthform of the orthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 20A shows an end view of a bracket body insert which findsusefulness in the various forms of the invention.

FIG. 20B shows an end view of an alternative form of a bracket bodyinsert which finds usefulness in the various forms of the invention.

FIG. 20C shows an end view of another alternative form of a bracket bodyinsert, and which finds usefulness in the various forms of theinvention.

FIG. 20D shows a side elevation view of the bracket body insert asillustrated in FIGS. 20A, and 20C, respectively.

FIG. 21 is a mesial, side elevation view of yet another form of theorthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a greatly enlarged, perspective view of a bracket base andwhich finds usefulness in another form of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a greatly enlarged, side elevation view of still another formof the orthodontic bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of a bracket body which forms a featureof one form of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of theconstitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progressof science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The present invention, in its various forms, is generally indicated bythe numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and following. For purposes of the presentapplication, and for the several forms of the invention as described,hereinafter, it will be understood that the various forms of theinvention are employed to be releasably affixed to a patient's tooth 11as seen in FIG. 1A, and in particular, to the anterior facing surface 12thereof. The orthodontic bracket 10, in its various forms and incombination with the arch wire as will be described, hereinafter, isemployed to provide a multiplicity of selective torque expressions whichindividually forcibly act upon the patient's tooth 11. For purposes ofthis patent application, the term “torque expression” as usedhereinafter, is defined as the force which provides rotation of apatient's tooth 11 around the X axis 13, that being the mesial/distaldirection. In particular, the orthodontic bracket 10 of the presentinvention can be employed to achieve first, second and third ordermovements, that is 13, 14 and 15, respectively, as seen in FIG. 1A,without a clinically predetermined manipulation, bending, twisting, orother rotation of the rectangularly shaped arch wire, or the oftenrepeated replacement of this same arch wire during the orthodontictreatment period. Further, and as will be discussed later in theapplication, the treatment of a patient may proceed to completionwithout the removal of a bracket base 21, as will be described, from thepatient's tooth 11, although the bracket body which is releasablymounted on the bracket base 21 may be replaced with other bracket bodiesduring the treatment period based upon the clinical judgment of thetreating clinician. The present invention 10 provides a novel means bywhich a clinician, by utilizing a bracket body insert, as will bedescribed hereinafter, can readily adjust the cross-sectional dimensionof an arch wire slot as will be described to achieve first 13, second14, and third 15 order movements of the tooth 11 of a patient andthereby considerably shorten patient treatment times, and also achievesuperior treatment results, and increase a patient's comfort in a mannernot possible by utilizing the prior art appliances or practices whichare known.

First Form of the Invention

As earlier discussed in this application, tooth movement is definedrelative to three planes in space. In this regard, movements in theserespective planes are categorized as first order, second order, andthird order movements, that being, 13, 14 and 15, respectively as seenin FIG. 1A. First order movements 13 are commonly thought of as rotationand/or in and out movements. This refers to movements that can be viewedfrom the occlusal perspective. On the other hand, second order movementsare often referred to as tipping, and can be viewed from a buccolingualor labiolingual perspective. These include movements in theocclusal-gingival direction or tipping about the buccolingual orlabiolingual axis. As a general matter, rotation about theaforementioned axes would typically result in tipping of the root orcrown of a patient's tooth 11 in a mesial or distal direction. Thesesecond order movements are used for paralleling of the roots of therespective teeth 11 as well as elevating or depressing a given tooth.Finally, third order movements 15, and which are commonly thought of as“torque” can be viewed from a mesial-distal perspective or abuccolingual cross-section. Third order movements 15 typically refer tomovements about the mesial-distal axis. This particular movement isoften important when attempting to achieve proper incisor orlabia-lingual or bucco-lingual inclination. First, second, and thirdorder movements, again, are best seen in FIG. 1A, and are indicated bythe numerals 13, 14 and 15, respectively. The first form of theinvention is generally indicated by the numeral 20 in FIGS. 1-6. In thisregard, the first form of the invention 20 includes a bracket base whichis generally indicated by the numeral 21, and which further includes apad 22. The pad 22 is suitably affixed by an adhesive, not shown, to theanterior facing surface 12 of the patient's tooth 11. The bracket basefurther has a peripheral edge 23, and further is defined by an anterioror outside facing surface 24, and an opposite, posterior facing surface25 which is attached by the adhesive, not shown, to the anterior facingsurface 12 of the patient's tooth 11. As noted earlier, this bracketbase typically remains secured to the patient's tooth 11 throughouttreatment.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the first form of the invention 20, and morespecifically the anterior facing surface 24 of the bracket base 21includes a coupling portion or region which is generally indicated bythe numeral 30. The coupling portion or region 30 is defined, in part,by a curved dove tailed shaped slot 31 which is illustrated in FIG. 5 asbeing substantially concavely shaped. However, and while the form of theinvention, as illustrated, shows a concavely shaped dove tailed slot, itis equally feasible that a form of the invention may be fabricatedwhereby the curved dove tailed shaped slot 31 assumes a convexly curvedshape. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to that which isillustrated. It will be recognized therefore, that a curved dove tailshaped slot, either of a convex or concave shape, may be equallyemployed in the fabrication of the present invention. The describedcoupling portion renders the bracket base, a “universal” base for usewith a multiplicity of bracket bodies, as will be described,hereinafter. In the arrangement as described, the bracket base 21 can beemployed with bracket bodies which are considered passive ligationtypes, active ligation types or conventionally tied brackets. In view ofthis feature, a clinician no longer has to remove the bracket base whenremoving and replacing orthodontic brackets. Rather, a clinician mustonly remove the bracket body 40 from the coupling portion 30, andreattach an alternative bracket body 40. The bracket base 21 can stay onthe tooth 11 for the entire orthodontic treatment time. This featuregreatly advances orthodontic practice and makes an orthodontic treatmentregimen much more comfortable for a patient. The curved dove tailed slot31 is defined, in part, by spaced sidewalls 32. Additionally, thecoupling portion 30 is defined, in part, by a centrally located, andelevated region 33 having opposite sides, here identified as 33A and33B, respectively, and which are located on the opposite sides of thecurved dove tailed shaped slot 31. The centrally elevated regions 33Aand B respectively each have a curved upwardly facing surface 34 havingthe same curvature as that of the curved dove tailed shaped slot 31.Each of the centrally elevated regions 33 include inwardly extendingflange portions 35 which provide a means for slidably, and matinglycapturing and cooperating with a movable bracket body 40 as will bediscussed in greater detail, hereinafter. Additionally, and formed ineach of the centrally elevated regions 33, and extending downwardlythrough the curved upwardly facing surface 34 is a multiplicity ofengagement regions which are generally indicated by the numeral 36. Theengagement regions 36 are utilized to receive, and cooperate with abracket body insert as will be described in greater detail in theparagraphs which follow. It will be noted from studying FIG. 5 that themultiplicity of engagement regions 36 are disposed in a predeterminedspacial pattern which provides a convenient means for adjustablypositioning the rotatable orientation of a bracket body 40 and whichwill also be discussed, below.

The orthodontic bracket 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 has a movablebracket body 40 which is borne on the bracket base 21. In this regard,the bracket body 40 has a main body 41 which is defined, in part, by ananterior facing surface 42, and an opposite, posterior facing surface43. Still further, the bracket body 40 is defined by opposite first(mesial) and second (distal) sides 44 and 45, respectively, and whichare located at a predetermined distance, one relative to the other. Yetfurther, the bracket body 40 includes a superior facing surface 46, andan opposite, inferior facing surface 47. The superior and inferiorfacing surfaces 46 and 47 define respective tie wings which are wellknown in the art. As seen in FIG. 1-2, the bracket body 40 mounts amovable gate which is generally indicated by the numeral 50, and whichis also well known in the art. The movable gate 50 is operable toreciprocally travel or move along a path of travel 51 between a first,down or open position 52, and a second up, or occluding position 53 (asseen in FIG. 1). The gate 50, which movably cooperates with the anteriorfacing surface 42 of the bracket body 40, is operable to selectivelyretain an arch wire as will be discussed, below, within a transverselydisposed arch wire slot which is generally indicated by the numeral 60.The transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 has a given volume, andfurther has a first end 61 which is located adjacent to the first,mesial side 44 of the bracket body 40, and an opposite, second or distalend 62 which is located adjacent to the second side 45. The arch wireslot 60 is defined, at least in part, by a top, or superior surface 63,and an opposite, bottom or inferior facing surface 64. The top andbottom surfaces which define, in part, the arch wire slot 60 aredisposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation one relative to theother. The given distance allows the arch wire slot 60 to receive anarch wire as will be described, hereinafter. Still further, the mainbody 41 defines a supporting rear wall 65 (FIG. 2) which extends betweenthe top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64, but which does not define theresulting arch wire slot 60, as more fully described, below. The archwire slot 60 has a central region or portion which is indicated by thenumeral 66. The arch wire slot 60 is movable in both the vertical andhorizontal planes as will be described, below. This rotation of the archwire slot 60 in either of the vertical or horizontal planes ismaintained about the central region 66 of the arch wire slot 60. Thisfeature of the invention provides benefits and advantages to a clinicianwho is employing the invention. In the arrangement as seen in thedrawings, it should be understood that the arch wire slot 60 as morefully described below, has a predetermined cross-sectional dimensionwhich is variable by means of a bracket body insert as will be discussedin greater detail, hereinafter, and which fills or occupies at least aportion of the volume of the arch wire slot 60.

The orthodontic bracket 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 has a movablebracket body 40 which is borne on the bracket base 21. In this regard,the bracket body 40 has a main body 41 which is defined, in part, by ananterior facing surface 42, and an opposite, posterior facing surface43. Still further, the bracket body 40 is defined by opposite first(mesial) and second (distal) sides 44 and 45, respectively, and whichare located at a predetermined distance, one relative to the other. Yetfurther, the bracket body 40 includes a superior facing surface 46, andan opposite, inferior facing surface 47. The superior and inferiorfacing surfaces 46 and 47 define respective tie wings which are wellknown in the art. As seen in FIG. 1-6, the bracket body 40 mounts amovable gate which is generally indicated by the numeral 50, and whichis also well known in the art. The movable gate 50 is operable toreciprocally travel or move along a path of travel 51 between a first,down or open position 52, and a second up, or occluding position 53 (asseen in FIG. 1). The gate 50, which movably cooperates with the anteriorfacing surface 42 of the bracket body 40, is operable to selectivelyretain an arch wire as will be discussed, below, within a transverselydisposed arch wire slot which is generally indicated by the numeral 60.The transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 has a first end 61 which islocated adjacent to the first, mesial side 44 of the bracket body 40,and an opposite, second or distal end 62 adjacent to the second side 45.The arch wire slot 60 is defined, at least in part, by a top, orsuperior surface 63, and an opposite, bottom or inferior facing surface64. The top and bottom surfaces which define, in part, the arch wireslot 60 are disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation onerelative to the other. The given distance allows the arch wire slot 60to receive an arch wire as will be described, hereinafter. Stillfurther, the main body 41 defines a supporting wall 65 (FIG. 2) whichextends between the top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64, but which doesnot define the resulting arch wire slot 60, as more fully described,below. The arch wire slot 60 has a central region or portion which isindicated by the numeral 65. The arch wire slot 60 is movable in boththe vertical and horizontal planes as will be described, below. Thisrotation of the arch wire slot in either of the vertical or horizontalplanes is maintained about the central region 66 of the arch wire slot60. This feature of the invention provides huge benefits and advantagesto a clinician who is employing the invention. In the arrangement asseen in the drawings, it should be understood that the arch wire slot 60as more fully described below, has a predetermined cross-sectionaldimension which is variable by means of a bracket body insert as will bediscussed in greater detail, hereinafter, and which achieves thenumerous benefits as earlier discussed in this application.

As illustrated in the drawings, the orthodontic bracket 10, and inparticular, the first form of the invention 20, receives an arch wire 90which is received within the arch wire slot 60. The arch wire 90 is oftraditional design, and is further defined by opposite top and bottomsurfaces 91 and 92, and sidewalls 93 which connect the top and bottomsurfaces together, and which form a substantially rectangularcross-section. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings, the arch wire90 is received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60, andthe bracket body 40 acting in combination with the arch wire 90, isadjustable in both the horizontal or vertical planes so as to provide amultiplicity of selective torque expressions 13-15, respectively, andwhich individually forcibly act upon the patient's tooth 11. The presentinvention 20 includes a bracket body insert 100, and which is best seenby reference to FIG. 6, and which is received in the arch wire slot 60before the arch wire 90 is received in the arch wire slot 60. Thebracket body insert 100 has a first end 101, and an opposite second end102. The bracket body insert 100 further has an elongated main body 103which is defined by a top or superior facing surface 104, and anopposite, bottom, or inferior facing surface 105. Still further, themain body 103 is additionally defined by an anterior facing surface 106which forms a supporting rear wall 65 for the resulting arch wire slot60, and an opposite, posterior facing surface 107 which rests injuxtaposed resting relation relative to the supporting wall 65 and whichis defined by the bracket body 40. The bracket body insert 100 has aheight dimension as measured between the top and bottom surfaces 104 and105 which is less than the distance as measured between the top andbottom surfaces 63 and 64, and which occupies a portion of the volume ofthe arch wire slot 60 and forms, in part, the resulting arch wire slot60 which receives the arch wire 90. The height dimension of the mainbody 103 allows the main body 103 to be received within, the arch wireslot 60, and further rest in mating receipt thereagainst the supportingrear wall 65 which is formed by the bracket body 40. It should beunderstood that the main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100 mayhave a substantially constant thickness dimension as measured betweenthe anterior and posterior facing surfaces 106, and 107, or may furtherhave a variable dimension. As such, the bracket body insert 100 providesa convenient means for selectively adjusting the resultingcross-sectional dimension of the arch wire slot 60 so as to provide thebenefits of the present invention which include, among others, providingan orthodontic bracket 10 which provides first, second, and third ordermovements for a patient's tooth 11 without a clinically predeterminedmanipulation of the arch wire 90 which is received in transverselydisposed arch wire slot 60.

The bracket body insert 100 further includes first and second engagementportions 111 and 112, respectively, and which are located at the firstand second ends 101 and 102 of the bracket body insert 100. Inparticular, the first and second engagement portions 111 and 112 extendoutwardly beyond of the first and second sides 44 and 45 of the bracketbody 40, and further provide a convenient means by which a clinician(not shown) may easily, visually identify the bracket body insert 100such that it may be positioned appropriately or otherwise adjusted aswill be discussed in further detail, below. Each of the engagementportions 111 and 112 respectively, have an outside facing surface 113which has formed therein a depression or cavity 114 which allows aclinician to insert a tool like tweezers or the like in the depressionin order to conveniently remove the bracket body insert 100 from thearch wire slot 60. As will be seen in FIG. 6, the bracket body insert100 also includes a first, engagement member 115 which extends normally,downwardly relative to the first end 101 of the bracket body. The firstengagement member is dimensioned so as to be slidably received within afirst passageway 71 which is formed in the first side 44 of the bracketbody 40. Still further, the bracket body insert 100 includes a secondengagement member 116, which is shorter in length than the firstengagement member 115, and which further is received in a secondpassageway 72, and which is formed in the second side 45 of the bracketbody 40. The first engagement member 115 has a distal end 117 which isoperable to be matingly received within one of the multiplicity ofengagement regions 36 which are formed in the bracket base 21. As willbe recognized, when the main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100 isappropriately inserted within the arch wire slot 60, the distal end 117of the engagement member 115 is received within one of the multiplicityof engagement regions 36, and thereby is effective in fixedly, rotatablypositioning the bracket body 40 in an appropriate rotatable orientationrelative to the bracket base 21. Further, and as will be recognized fromlater drawings (FIGS. 19A-C), the main body 103 of the bracket bodyinsert 100 can be fabricated in different thickness dimensions andconsequently, provides a means once it is received within the arch wireslot 60 by which the orthodontic bracket 20 can be provided with aresulting arch wire slot 60 having a selectively variablecross-sectional dimension in order to achieve the benefits of thepresent invention. Further, it will be recognized by reversing thedirection of the main body 103, within the arch wire slot 60, the samebracket body insert 100 can appropriately position the bracket body 40in a multiplicity of possible, and different, angular orientationsrelative to the bracket base 21, so as to provide a multiplicity oftreatment options for a clinician employing the same orthodontic bracket20 to correct the misalignment of a patient's tooth 11.

The bracket body 100 further includes first and second engagementportions 111 and 112, respectively, and which are located at the firstand second ends 101 and 102 of the bracket body insert 100. Inparticular, the first and second engagement portions 111 and 112 extendoutwardly beyond of the first and second sides 44 and 45 of the bracketbody 40, and further provide a convenient means by which a clinician(not shown) may easily, visually identify the bracket body insert 100such that it may be positioned appropriately or otherwise adjusted aswill be discussed in further detail, below. Each of the engagementportions 111 and 112 respectively, have an outside facing surface 113which has formed therein a depression or cavity 114 which allows aclinician to insert a tool like tweezers or the like in the depressionin order to conveniently remove the bracket body insert 100 from thearch wire slot 60. As will be seen in FIG. 6, the bracket body insert100 also includes a first, engagement member 115 which extends normally,downwardly relative to the first end 101 of the bracket body. The firstengagement member is dimensioned so as to be slidably received withinthe first passageway 71 which is formed in the first side 44 of thebracket body 40. Still further, the bracket body insert 100 includes asecond engagement member 116, which is shorter in length than the firstengagement member 115, and which further is received in the secondpassageway 72, and which is formed in the second side 45 of the bracketbody 40. The first engagement member 115 has a distal end 117 which isoperable to be matingly received within one of the multiplicity ofengagement regions 36 which are formed in the bracket base 21. As willbe recognized, when the main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100 isappropriately inserted within the arch wire slot 60, the distal end 117of the engagement member 115 is received within one of the multiplicityof engagement regions 36, and thereby is effective in fixedly, rotatablypositioning the bracket body 40 in an appropriate rotatable orientationrelative to the bracket base 22. Further, and as will be recognized fromlater drawings (FIGS. 19A-C), the main body 103 of the bracket bodyinsert can be fabricated in different thickness dimensions andconsequently, provides a means by which the orthodontic bracket 20 canbe provided with an arch wire slot 60 having variable cross-sectionaldimensions in order to achieve the benefits of the present invention.Further, it will be recognized by reversing the direction of the mainbody 103, within the arch wire slot 60, the same bracket body insert 100can appropriately position the bracket body 40 in five possible angularorientations relative to the bracket base 21, so as to provide amultiplicity of treatment options for a clinician employing the sameorthodontic bracket 20 to correct the misalignment of a patient's tooth11.

As illustrated in the drawings, the bracket body 40 is shown in thefirst form of the invention 20 as being partially, rotatably movablerelative to the bracket base 21 in a given axis of movement, here shownin a vertical direction when the bracket base 21 is mounted on theanterior facing surface 12 of the patient's tooth 11. In the first formof the invention 20, the arch wire slot 60 is located in a fixedorientation relative to the bracket body 40. This is in contrast to thesecond form of the invention as will be discussed, hereinafter andwherein the arch wire slot is selectively movably adjustable relative tothe bracket body 40 as will be discussed, hereinafter. As noted above,the cross-sectional dimension of the arch wire slot 60 is defined byopposed, and predetermined, spaced top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64,and a supporting rear all 65 which extends between the top and bottomsurfaces 63 and 64 of the arch wire slot 60. However, when the bracketbody insert 100 is received in the arch wire slot 60, the anteriorfacing surface 106 of the bracket body insert 100 acts or becomes thesupporting rear wall 65 of the resulting arch wire slot 60 and whichreceives the arch wire 90. In this arrangement the anterior facingsurface 106 is selectively adjustable relative to the spaced top andbottom surfaces 63 and 64 so as to provide the selective cross-sectionaldimension for the aforementioned arch wire slot 60. In the of thepresent invention, the cross-sectional dimension of the arch wire slot60 may be rendered substantially uniform when measured in a directionwhich extends between the first and second ends 61 and 62 thereof.However, in an alternative form of the invention, the cross-sectionaldimension of the arch wire slot 60 may be rendered non-uniform whenmeasured in a direction extending between the first and second ends 61and 62 of the arch wire slot 60. Such is best understood by studyingFIGS. 19A, B and C, respectively.

The orthodontic bracket 10 as shown in the first form of the invention20 includes a bracket body insert 100 which is releasably receivedwithin the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60, and which furtherhas a main body 103 which forms, at least in part, a portion of the archwire slot 60 as noted, above by filling or occupying a portion of thevolume thereof. The main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100substantially adjustably fixes the rotatable orientation of the bracketbody 40 relative to the bracket base 21. In the form of the invention asdisclosed, the main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100, and whichforms a portion of the arch wire slot 60, has a uniform dimension.However, as noted above, the main body 103 of the bracket body insert100, and which forms a portion of the arch wire slot 60, may have anon-uniform dimension. (FIGS. 19B, 19C). The change in the dimensions ofthe main body 103 of the bracket body insert 100 provides a convenientmeans for changing the resulting cross-sectional dimensions of the archwire slot 60 and which cooperates with the arch wire 90. This change inthe dimension of the resulting arch wire slot 60 allows a clinician toimpart horizontal movement to the arch wire 90 so as to facilitate oneof the orders of movement for the patient's tooth 11. In the form of theinvention 20, as illustrated, the bracket base 21 further includes amultiplicity of engagement regions 36 which are formed in apredetermined spacial pattern in the bracket base 21. The bracket bodyinsert 100 has an engagement member 115 having a distal end 117, andwhich is operable to be received within one of the multiplicity ofengagement regions 36 which are formed in the bracket base 21. Thereceipt of the distal end 117 of the engagement member 115 in one of theengagement regions 36 releasably fixes the rotatable orientation of thebracket body 40 relative to the bracket base 21.

More specifically, the present invention includes, in a first form, anorthodontic bracket 20 having a bracket base 21 which is releasablyaffixed to an anterior facing surface 12 of a patient's tooth 11, and abracket body 40 which movably cooperates with the bracket base 21. Thebracket body 40 has an anterior facing surface 42 which defines, atleast in part, a transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 whichcommunicates with the anterior facing surface of the bracket body 40. Inthe first form of the invention, a bracket body insert 100 is provided,and which is further releasably received within the transverselydisposed arch wire slot 60, and which further forms, at least in part, aportion of the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 by occupying aportion of the volume of the arch wire slot 60. The bracket body insert100 further selectively and adjustably fixes the orientation of themovable bracket body 40 relative to the bracket base 21. In the firstform of the invention, an arch wire 90 is received in the transverselydisposed arch wire slot 60. The movable bracket body 40, acting incombination with the bracket body insert 100, each respectively engagethe arch wire 90 so as to provide a multiplicity of torque expressionswhich individually forcibly act on the patient's tooth 11, and whichfurther cause first, second and third orders of movement 13, 14 and 15,respectively. These first, second and third orders of movement areachieved typically by utilizing the same arch wire 90. As earlierdiscussed, the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 has across-sectional dimension, and the bracket body insert 100 is operableto selectively adjust the cross-sectional dimension of the transverselydisposed arch wire slot 60 so as to allow a clinician to impart theserespective movements to the patient's tooth 11.

More specifically, the present invention includes, in a first form, anorthodontic bracket 20 having a bracket base 21 which is releasablyaffixed to an anterior facing surface 12 of a patient's tooth 11, and abracket body 40 which movably cooperates with the bracket base 21. Thebracket body 40 has an anterior facing surface 42 which defines, atleast in part, a transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 whichcommunicates with the anterior facing surface of the bracket body 40. Inthe first form of the invention, a bracket body insert 100 is provided,and which is further releasably received within the transverselydisposed arch wire slot 60, and which further forms, at least in part, aportion of the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60. The bracket bodyinsert 100 further selectively and adjustably fixes the orientation ofthe movable bracket body 40 relative to the bracket base 21. In thefirst form of the invention, an arch wire 90 is received in thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60. The movable bracket body 40,acting in combination with the bracket body insert 100, eachrespectively engage the arch wire 90 so as to provide a multiplicity oftorque expressions which individually forcibly act on the patient'stooth 11, and which further cause first, second and third orders ofmovement 13, 14 and 15, respectively. These first, second and thirdorders of movement are achieved typically by utilizing the same archwire 90. As earlier discussed, the transversely disposed arch wire slot60 has a cross-sectional dimension, and the bracket body insert 100 isoperable to selectively adjust the cross-sectional dimension of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60 so as to allow a clinician toimpart these respective movements to the patient's tooth 11.

As will be recognized from the drawings, the engagement regions 36,which are formed in the bracket base 21, are located either on one side,or on both sides of the coupling portion 30. Still further, and inanother form of the invention, the engagement regions 36 may be formeddirectly into the coupling portion 30 of the bracket base 21. In oneform of the invention, the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 isdefined, in part, by spaced top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64 as earlierdisclosed. Still further, the bracket body insert 100 has an elongatedmain body 103 which is sized so as to fit within the arch wire slot 60and further fills or occupies at least a portion of the volume thereof.As earlier disclosed, the main body 103 of the bracket body insert hasan anterior facing surface 106 which forms or acts as a supporting rearwall 65—of the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60, and whichfurther extends between the top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64 of thearch wire slot 60. The thickness dimension of the main body 103 of thebracket body insert 100 is selectively variable so as to cause thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60 to have a selectivepredetermined cross-sectional dimension. Consequently, upon receipt ofthe arch wire 90 within the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60, aclinician can easily cause first, second and third order movements to beimparted to specific patient's teeth 11 thereby providing clinicalbenefits not possible, heretofore.

As will be recognized from the drawings, the engagement regions 36,which are formed in the bracket base 21, are located either on one side,or on both sides of the coupling portion 30. Still further, and inanother form of the invention, the engagement regions 36 may be formeddirectly into the coupling portion 30 of the bracket base 21. In oneform of the invention, the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60 isdefined, in part, by spaced top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64 as earlierdisclosed. Still further, the bracket body insert 100 has an elongatedmain body 103 which is sized so as to fit within the arch wire slot 60.As earlier disclosed, the main body 103 of the bracket body insert hasan anterior facing surface which forms a back wall 106 of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60, and which further extendsbetween the top and bottom surfaces 63 and 64 of the arch wire slot 60.The thickness dimension of the main body 103 of the bracket body insert100 is selectively variable so as to cause the transversely disposedarch wire slot 60 to have a selective predetermined cross-sectionaldimension. Consequently, upon receipt of the arch wire 90 within thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60, a clinician can easily causefirst, second and third order movements to be imparted to specificpatient's teeth 11 thereby providing clinical benefits not possible,heretofore.

Second Form of the Invention

The second form of the invention 120 is best seen in FIGS. 7-11,respectively. The second form of the invention 120 operates, to a largedegree, in a very similar fashion relative to the first form of theinvention 20. In particular, the second form of the invention 120includes a bracket base 121 which is formed of a pad 122 having aperipheral edge 123, and which further has an anterior facing surface124, and an opposite posterior facing surface 125 which is, again,adhesively affixed to the anterior facing surface 12 of a patient'stooth 11. The second form of the invention 120 includes a couplingportion 130 which is best seen by reference to FIG. 10. The couplingportion 130 which is made integral with the anterior facing surface 124,again, defines a curved dove tailed shaped slot 131, The curved dovetailed shaped slot 131 is defined, in part, by inclined sidewalls whichare generally indicated by the numeral 132. The curved dove tailedshaped slot 131 is somewhat truncated when viewed in cross-section asbest seen in FIG. 10. The coupling portion 130 includes a curved,upwardly facing surface 133 which is operable to matingly cooperate withthe bracket body as will be described, below. Further, and as seen inFIG. 10, a multiplicity of engagement regions 134 are formed in thecurved upwardly facing surface 133 of the coupling portion 130, andoperate in a fashion similar to that described in the first form of theinvention 20. Although, it should be noted, that these engagementregions are not accessible from either the mesial or distal side of thebracket base.

The second form of the invention 120 includes a bracket body 140 whichis similar to that which was earlier described. The bracket body 140 ismovably borne by the bracket base 121, and further has a main body 141which has an anterior facing surface 142, and an opposite, posteriorfacing surface 143. Additionally, the bracket body 140 has a first ormesial side 144, and an opposite, second, or distal side 145. Again, thebracket body has a superior facing surface 146, and an inferior facingsurface 147. Again, as earlier described, the second form of theinvention has a movable gate 150 which is operable to reciprocally movealong a given path of travel in order to selectively occlude an archwire slot 160 which is defined, in part, by the bracket body 140. Thearch wire slot 160 has opposite first and second ends 161 and 162,respectively, and top and bottom surfaces 163 and 164. The top andbottom surfaces 163, 164 respectively are disposed in predetermined,substantially parallel, spaced relation. Still further, the main body141 defines a supporting rear wall 165 which extends between the top 163and bottom 164 surfaces, and which further is located within the mainbody 141 of the bracket body. Additionally, the arch wire slot 160 has acentral portion or region 166. Located endwardly of the arch wire slot160 are individual passageways 170, here indicated in the drawings asfirst and second passageways 171 and 172, and which individually extendposteriorly, inwardly relative to the bracket body 140. The first andsecond passageways are operable to individually, matingly cooperate, atleast in part, with a portion of the bracket body insert as will bedescribed, below. Again, as was described with the first form of theinvention 20, the second form 120 has a complimentary substantiallyuniformly curved posterior facing surface which is generally indicatedby the numeral 180. Still further, and made integral with the posteriorsurface 180 is a male pin member 181 which is similar to that which wasearlier described with respect to the first form of the invention 20.The male pin member 181 has a complimentary curved surface which isoperable to be received in interfitted mating, sliding relation withinthe curved dove tailed shaped slot 131 which is defined by the couplingportion 130 of the bracket base 121. Again, the arch wire slot ISO isoperable to receive an arch wire 190 of traditional design.Additionally, the second form of the invention 120 has a bracket bodyinsert which is generally indicated by the numeral 200, and which isreceived within the arch wire slot 160 before the arch wire 190 isinserted. The bracket body insert 200 has opposite first and second ends201 and 202, respectively. (FIGS. 11A-11D). As will be noted, whencomparing the bracket body insert 200 with that of the bracket bodyinsert 100, it will be seen that the main body 203 of the bracket bodyinsert 200 has a length dimension which does not exceed the length ofthe arch wire slot 160 such that the first and second ends 201, and 202are substantially flush or co-planar with the mesial and distal surfaces144, and 145 of the bracket body 140. Therefore, in this form of theinvention, the bracket body insert 200, working in combination with thebracket body 140, provides a more aesthetically appealing exteriorappearance once the orthodontic bracket 10 is mounted on the anteriorfacing surface 12 of the patient's tooth The bracket body insert 200, asillustrated, includes a top or superior facing surface 204, and anopposite, bottom or inferior facing surface 205. The distance, asmeasured between the top and bottom surfaces 204 and 205, represent aheight dimension which is less than about the dimension as measuredbetween the top and bottom surfaces 163 and 164 of the arch wire slot160. Again, as was described with the first form of the invention 20,the main body 203 of the bracket body insert 200 includes an anteriorfacing surface 206 which forms a supporting rear wall of the arch wireslot 160. Still further, the main body 203 has a posterior facingsurface 207 which rests in juxtaposed relation thereagainst thesupporting rear wall 165 which is defined by the main body 141 of thebracket body 140. Again, as was discussed with the first form of thebracket body insert 100, the relative thickness dimension as measuredbetween the anterior and posterior facing surfaces 206 and 207 may be,on the one hand uniform, or on the other hand may be variable. Becauseof the variation in the thickness dimension of the bracket body insert200, the resulting arch wire slot 160 can have a variablecross-sectional dimension. This variable cross-sectional dimensionpermits a clinician to readily and easily adjust the torquing couplesapplied to given patient's teeth 11 to achieve the clinical objectivesthey have predetermined for a patient's orthodontic treatment plan.

The bracket body insert 200 as used in the second form of the invention120 again includes a first, and longer dimensioned engagement member 211which is mounted on the first end 201, and which is further positionedsubstantially perpendicular relative thereto. Additionally, the bracketbody insert 200 includes a second engagement member 212 which extendsnormally downwardly relative to the second end 202. The first and secondengagement members 211, 212 are dimensioned to be slidably receivedwithin the individual passageways 171 and 172, which are formedendwardly of the arch wire slot 160. The first, and longer of theengagement members 211 has a distal end 213 which is operable to bereleasably, and matingly received within one of the multiplicity ofengagement regions 134, and which are formed in the coupling portion 130of the bracket base 121. When received in one of these engagementregions 134, the bracket body insert 200 is operable to substantiallyreleasably and rotatably fix the movable bracket body 140 relative tothe bracket base 121, thereby achieving the orthodontic benefits asearlier described. Again, the dimensions of the bracket body insert 200are such that it provides a much more appealing and aestheticallypleasing orthodontic bracket which can be used on a patient's teeth 11.

Third Form of the Invention

The third form of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral230 and is best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13A, 13B and 13C, respectively. Inthe third form of the invention 230, the structure and function issomewhat similar to that described with respect to the first 20 andsecond 120 forms. Various features of the third form of the invention230 are therefore not illustrated in the attached drawings so as toexpedite an understanding of the present form of the invention. Althoughit will be understood that structures previously disclosed would bepresent in a final, completed product. The third form of the invention230 is similar to the first and second forms 20 and 120, respectively,and has a bracket base including a coupling portion similar to thatearlier described. Therefore, repetition of that structure isunwarranted. The third form of the invention 230 as seen in FIG. 12includes a movable bracket body 240 which is borne on the bracket base(not shown). The bracket body 240 similarly would include a movable gate(not shown) for selectively occluding an arch wire slot 260 as will bedescribed, below. However, the gate is removed to show the structurethereunder. The bracket body 240 includes a main body 241 which has ananterior facing surface 242 which is seen in FIG. 12. The bracket body240 also has a first or mesial side 244, and a second or distal side245. Again, the main body 241 has a superior facing surface 246, and anopposite inferior facing surface 247. The main body 241 defines, inpart, an arch wire slot 260 which is similar to that which is earlierdescribed. The arch wire slot 260 has opposite first and second ends 261and 262, respectively, and further defines a top and bottom surface 263and 264 respectively. The top 263 and bottom 264 surfaces are againlocated in predetermined substantially parallel spaced relation onerelative to the other. Again, the main body 241 defines a supportingrear wall 265 which extends between the top and bottom surfaces 263 and264, respectively. As seen in FIG. 12, a pair of passageways 266 areformed through the supporting rear wall 265, and communicate with theposterior facing surface of the bracket body 240. The respectivepassageways 266 are operable to be substantially coaxially aligned withone of the multiplicity of engagement regions which are formed in thebracket base (not shown), and which allow a bracket body insert, as willbe described, below, to engage the supporting bracket base, therebyreleasably, rotatably fixing the movable bracket body 240 relative tothe bracket base as was described with the first and second forms of theinvention 20 and 120, respectively. As further seen in FIG. 12, it willbe noted that individual recessed regions 267 are formed in the mainbody 241, and are positioned endwardly relative to the arch wire slot260. Further, the arch wire slot 260 has a central portion or region268.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A, B and C, respectively, it will be seen thatthe third form of the invention 230 includes a bracket body insert 300.The bracket body insert 300 has first and second ends 301 and 302,respectively. As will be recognized from the drawings, and as wasdiscussed previously with the second form of the invention 120, the mainbody 303 of the bracket body insert 300 has a length dimension which isless than about the distance as measured between the opposite first ormesial side 244, and the second or distal side 245 of the bracket body240. Therefore, the main body 303 may be received within and form aportion of the arch wire slot 260, but will not typically extend beyondthe opposite sides of the bracket body 240 thereby providing anaesthetically appealing appearance to the orthodontic bracket 10. Thebracket body insert 300 further has a top or superior facing surface304, and a bottom or inferior facing surface 305. Again, the main body303 has an anterior facing surface 306 which forms a rear wall of thearch wire slot 260. Again, the thickness dimension of the main body 303as measured between the anterior facing surface 306, and an oppositeposterior facing surface 307 provides a convenient means whereby thebracket body insert 300, once received in the arch wire slot 260, canconveniently, adjustably alter or change the cross-sectional dimensionof the arch wire slot so as to provide a convenient means for aclinician to provide selective torquing couples to an arch wire, andthereby provide the many clinical benefits to a patient as was discussedearlier in this application. Similar to the previously described otherforms of the invention, the bracket body insert 300 includes a first,and longer engagement member 311 which extends normally downwardly froma location near the first end 301. The first, or longer, engagementmember 311 is dimensioned so as to be received in one of the passageways266 which are formed in the supporting rear wall 265 of the main body241. The bracket body insert 300 further has a second, or shorter,engagement member 312. Again, this second shorter member 312 is locatedat a position near the second end 302, and which extends normallydownwardly therefrom. Again, the second, shorter engagement member 312is dimensioned to be received in one of the passageways 266 as earlierdescribed. In this form of the invention 230, the bracket body insert300 further includes individual movement restraining members 313 whichextend normally downwardly from the opposite first and second ends 301and 302, respectively. The individual movement restraining members 313are sized so as to be matingly received within the recessed regions 267which are formed in the main body 241 of the bracket body 240, and whichare respectfully located endwardly relative to the arch wire slot 260.As will be recognized from reviewing the drawings, the individualmovement restraining members 313 have a cavity 314 formed therein. Thiscavity 314 provides a convenient means whereby a clinician may use atool such as tweezers, and the like to forcibly engage the bracket bodyinsert 300 and remove it from the bracket body 240. As will berecognized, the thickness dimension of the main body 303 may be variedso as to provide the various torquing couples necessary for appropriateorthodontic treatment. Still further, the bracket body insert 300 may betaken from the bracket body 240 and reversed in direction and thenreinserted back in the arch wire slot 260 so as to provide a convenientmeans whereby the clinician may have a bracket body insert whichperforms and is able to achieve assorted torquing couples for effectiveorthodontic treatment of a patent. This feature is common to all thebracket body inserts described in this patent application.

Fourth Form of the Invention

The fourth form of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral400 and is best seen in FIGS. 14-19, respectively. In the fourth form ofthe invention 400, the orthodontic bracket 10, as will be described,includes a bracket base 401 similar to that which was earlier describedwith the other forms of the invention 20, 120, and 230, respectively.The bracket base 401 has an anterior facing surface 402, and anopposite, posterior facing surface 403 which is suitably adhesivelyaffixed to the anterior facing surface 12 of a patient's tooth 11 toachieve the orthodontic benefits as described in this application. Thebracket base 401 further is defined by a peripheral edge 404. As seen inFIG. 14, and following, the fourth form of the invention 400 includes animmovable bracket body 410 which is affixed to, or otherwise madeintegral with, the bracket base 401. The bracket body 410 has ananterior facing surface 411, and an opposite posterior facing surface412 which is made integral with the bracket base 401. Still further, theimmovable bracket body 410 has a first or mesial side 413, and anopposite or distal side 414. Again, the bracket body 410 includes asuperior facing surface 415, and an opposite inferior facing surface416. The superior and inferior facing surfaces define respective tiewings 417 which are operable to be engaged by a suitable ligature 418 asseen in FIG. 15. The ligature 418 as illustrated is not drawn to scaleso as to allow an illustration of the present invention.

The fourth form of the invention 400, and more specifically theimmovable bracket body 410, thereof, includes or otherwise defines atransversely disposed, and substantially cylindrically shaped cavity 420which extends between the first, mesial side 413, and the second, distalside 414. The transversely disposed cavity 420 has opposite first andsecond ends 421 and 422, respectively. Further, and as best seen in FIG.17, a curved elongated male pin member which is generally indicated bythe numeral 423, is positioned substantially between the first andsecond ends 421 and 422, and further extends generally radially,inwardly relative to the transversely disposed cavity 420. The curvedelongated male pin member is similar in its overall construction, andfunction, to the male pin member 81 as was described in the first formof the invention 20. In this regard, the curved elongated male pinmember 423 is defined by a main body 424 which is made integral with theimmovable bracket body 410. The main body 424 further includes asubstantially centrally disposed supporting portion or member 425, andfurther an enlarged flange member 426 is mounted on, or made integralwith, the supporting member 425, and extends normally outwardlytherefrom to form a substantially T-shaped structure. The enlargedflange member 426 has a curved, upwardly facing surface 427. The curved,elongated male pin member 423 is operable to matingly interfit, andslidably cooperate with a dove tail shaped slot which is made integralwith an arch wire insert. This structure will be discussed in greaterdetail in the paragraphs below. As seen in FIG. 17, a multiplicity ofengagement regions 430 are formed in the immovable bracket body 410 andcommunicate with the transversely disposed substantially cylindricallyshaped cavity 420. Again, the multiplicity of engagement regions 430operate in a similar fashion to that earlier described with respect tothe earlier forms of the invention. As will be seen in the drawings, theimmovable bracket body 410 defines an aperture 428 which is formed inthe anterior facing surface 411 of the immovable bracket body 410. Theaperture communicates with the transversely disposed cavity 420, andfurther has a predetermined cross-sectional dimension. This feature willalso be discussed in greater detail below.

The fourth form of the invention 400 further includes an arch wireinsert which is generally indicated by the numeral 440, and which isbest understood by a study of FIG. 18. The arch wire insert 440 hasopposite ends 441 and 442. The distance between the opposite first andsecond ends 441 and 442 is equal to or less than the distance asmeasured between the first, mesial side 413, and the second or distalside 414 of the immovable bracket body 410. Still further, the arch wireinsert 440 has a main body 443 which is defined by a longitudinal axis444. The main body is dimensioned such that it may not pass out throughthe aperture 428. However, a portion of the main body 443 extendsanteriorly outwardly relative to the aperture 428. The main body 443 isselectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis 444 when the arch wireinsert 440 is telescopingly and rotatably received within thetransversely disposed cavity 420 as described below. The main body 443further has an anterior facing surface 445, and an opposite posteriorfacing surface 446. The main body 443 also has an exterior facingsurface 447 which is substantially cylindrically shaped, and which isfurther dimensioned for rotatable, telescoping receipt within thetransversely disposed and substantially cylindrically shaped cavity 420.

As seen in FIG. 18, a curved dove tailed shaped slot 450 is formed inthe exterior facing surface 447, and operates in a manner similar to thecurved, dove tailed shaped slot 31 as earlier described in the firstform of the invention 20. The curved dove tailed shaped slot 450 has acomplimentary, curved, bottom surface 451 which slidably, and matinglycooperates with the curved upwardly facing surface 427 of the elongatedmale pin member 423 which was earlier described. The curved dove tailedshaped slot 450 has individual flange members 452 which extend towardsone another, and which respectively cause the curved dove tailed slot450 to assume a T-shaped configuration. However, it will be recognizedthat other shapes can work with equal success. Still further, it shouldbe understood that the structure disclosed herein, that being, thecurved elongated male pin member 423 and the curved dove tailed slot 450may be exchanged, or otherwise substituted, one for the other, and theinvention will operate with the same degree of success. The main body443 of the arch wire insert 440 further defines an arch wire slot 460.The arch wire slot has opposite first and second ends 461 and 462,respectfully. The arch wire slot 460 is further defined by a top surface463, and a bottom surface 464. As was earlier described, the arch wireslot 460 has top and bottom surfaces 463 and 464, and which are disposedin predetermined, substantially parallel, spaced relation one relativeto the other. The main body 443 of the arch wire insert 440 furtherdefines a supporting rear surface 465 which connects the top 463 andbottom 464 surfaces together. As will be seen in FIG. 18, a pair ofpassageways 466 are formed through the supporting rear surface 465, andfurther allow the arch wire slot 460 to communicate with themultiplicity of engagement regions 430 which are formed in the immovablebracket body 410. This feature will be discussed in greater detail,below. As will be seen from a study of FIG. 18, it will be recognizedthat the supporting rear surface 465, in combination with the top andbottom surfaces 463 and 464 respectively define individual recessedregions 467 which are located near the first and second ends 441 and 442of the arch wire insert 440. These recessed regions 467 have apredetermined cross-sectional dimension which facilitates the receipt ofa bracket body insert which will be received within the arch wire slot460, and which is discussed in greater in the paragraphs, which follow.

The fourth form of the invention 400 further includes a bracket bodyinsert which is generally indicated by the numeral 480, and which isbest understood by a study of FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, respectively. Inthis regard, the bracket body insert 480 has opposite first and secondends 481 and 482, respectively. The distance between the opposite firstand second ends 481 and 482 is substantially equal to, or less than thedistance as measured between the opposite ends 441 and 442 of the archwire insert 440. As will be recognized, the bracket body insert 480, asdepicted, typically does not extend beyond the first and second sides413 and 414 of the immovable bracket body 410. However, it will berecognized that the bracket body insert 480 may be made longer so as toextend outwardly relative to the opposite sides of the immovable bracketbody 410 in order to facilitate the use of the bracket body 410 by beingeasier to see, or grasp by the clinician as the bracket body insert 480is inserted or withdrawn from the arch wire slot 460. The bracket bodyinsert 480 includes a main body 483 which has an anterior facing surface484, and which forms a supporting rear wall that defines, in part, thearch wire slot 460. Still further, the main body 483 has an opposite,posterior facing surface 485 which lies in rested, juxtaposed relation,thereagainst, the supporting rear surface 465 as defined by the archwire insert 440. The bracket body insert 480 further defines top andbottom surfaces 486 and 487, respectively. The top and bottom surfacesare disposed in substantially parallel, spaced relation, one relative tothe other. The distance between the top and bottom surfaces 486 and 487,respectively, is less than about the distance as defined between the topand bottom surfaces 463 and 464, and which define, in part, the archwire slot 460. Therefore, it will be recognized that that bracket bodyinsert 480 may be received within the arch wire slot 460 and furthercooperates with same. As was the case with the other forms of theinvention, the bracket body insert 480 includes a first, elongated, andlonger dimensioned engagement member 491 which extends normallydownwardly from a location near the first end 481. Still further, thebracket body insert 480 includes a second, and smaller engagement member492 which extends from a location near the second end 482. The first andsecond engagement members 491 and 492, respectively, have apredetermined shape such that they may be matingly received and passthrough the respective passageways 466 which are formed in thesupporting rear surface 465 of the arch wire insert 440, as was earlierdescribed. The first and the longer of the engagement members 491, has adistal end 493 which is operable to be received within one of themultiplicity of engagement regions 430 which are formed in the immovablebracket body 410. Similar to that which was discussed with the otherforms of the invention, the receipt of the distal end 493 in one of themultiplicity of engagement regions 430 is effective in fixedly,adjustably positioning the arch wire insert 440 in a given predeterminedrotational orientation relative to the immovable bracket body 410 toachieve the benefits of the present invention. As will be seen bycomparing the views of FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C, respectively, the mainbody 483 may have a variable thickness dimension as measured between theanterior facing surface 484, and the posterior facing surface 485. Asnoted above, the anterior facing surface 484 forms a part of the archwire slot 460. Because of the variable thickness dimension as providedby the arch wire insert 440, the arch wire insert 440 is able tovariably adjust the cross-sectional dimension of the arch wire slot 460which is defined between the surfaces 463, 464 and the anterior facingsurface 484 of the bracket body insert 440 which forms the supportingrear wall of the arch wire slot 460. As seen in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C,respectively, the bracket body insert 480 further includes movementrestraining members 494 which extend normally downwardly from theopposite first and second ends 481 and 482. These movement restrainingmembers 494 are sized so as to be appropriately matingly received withinthe recessed regions 467 which are positioned endwardly of the arch wireslot 460 as earlier disclosed. Still further, as seen in FIGS. 19A, 19Band 19C respectively, a cavity 495 is formed in the movement restrainingmembers 494, and which facilitate the gripping of the bracket bodyinsert 480 by the clinician, or by the use of a tool employed by theclinician, in order to remove or place the bracket body insert 480, inan appropriate orientation within the arch wire slot 460.

Fifth Form of the Invention

The fifth form of the invention is best understood by FIGS. 20A, 20B,20C and 20D, respectfully. In the fifth form of the invention it will beunderstood that the invention relates to a variation in the bracket bodyinsert 500 which may be employed and utilized in the various forms ofthe invention discussed in this application. In this regard, it will beunderstood that the bracket body insert 500 as seen in FIGS. 20A, 20B,20C and 20D, respectively, can be received in the previously describedarch wire slots, of the several forms of the invention previouslydescribed. Again, the bracket body insert 500 may be utilized, on theone hand, to fix a selectively rotatably movable bracket body as seen inthe first form of the invention 20, or further it may be employed toselectively rotatably fix an arch wire insert as seen in the fourth formof the invention 400. Again, the bracket body insert 500 is receivedwithin an arch wire slot as defined by a bracket body as employed on theorthodontic bracket 10. Again, the bracket body insert 500 has first andsecond ends 501 and 502, respectively, and a main body 503, which has aheight dimension which allows it to be readily received within the archwire slot. Again, the length of the bracket body insert 500 as measuredbetween the first 501 and second 502 ends may be the same length as thearch wire slot, or may further extend outwardly therefrom so as toprovide a convenient means for grasping the bracket body insert 500 bythe clinician as the bracket body insert 500 is placed into, or removedfrom the arch wire slot. The bracket body insert 500 has an anteriorfacing surface 504 which forms a portion of the corresponding arch wireslot. Again, the thickness dimension of the main body 503 can either beuniform, or non-uniform, depending upon the clinical situation beingaddressed on a patient's tooth 11. Again, the main body 503 has aposterior facing surface 505 which is located within the movable orimmovable bracket body depending upon the form of the invention beingemployed. The main body 503 also has top and bottom surfaces 506 and507, respectively. Again, the distance as measured between the top 506and bottom 507 surfaces is less than about the distance as measuredbetween the top and bottom surfaces which define, in part, the arch wireslot into which the bracket body insert 480 is being placed. In thefifth form of the invention 500, a pair of rigid planar surfaces 510extend substantially normally outwardly relative to the anterior facingsurface 504, and in a substantially coplanar orientation relative to thetop and bottom surfaces 506 and 507, respectively of the main body 503.The pair of planar surfaces 510 include first and second planar surfaces511 and 512, respectively. The first 511 and second 512 planar surfacesare substantially parallel to each other, and are further attached tothe main body 503 at a weakened joint which is generally indicated bythe numeral dotted line 513. The first 511 and second 512 planarsurfaces define a reduced dimensioned predetermined cross-sectionalregion 514. This region 514 would, of course, be oriented within theexisting arch wire slot as defined either by the bracket body, or thearch wire insert depending on the form of the invention as shown.However, this reduced dimension cross-sectional region 514 provides aclinician with yet another way of using smaller dimensioned arch wiresin order to finely adjust the position of a patient's teeth 11 in orderto provide a completed orthodontic treatment which puts all teeth of thepatient in an appropriate orientation.

The first 511 and second 512 planar surfaces, as illustrated in FIGS.20B and 20C, respectively, can be individually removed by theapplication of force which is applied to the individual planar surfaces511 and 512, respectively. This is accomplished by breaking the first511 or second 512 planar surfaces away at the weakened joint 513. Inthis manner, the clinician can adjust the relative orientation of thepredetermined cross-sectional region 514 in the arch wire slot whichreceives the arch wire. This feature provides a multitude of treatmentoptions and allows a clinician to use variously sized and dimensionedarch wires to finely adjust the final position of an individualpatient's teeth 11 in a manner not possible, heretofore. The main body503 further includes a first and longer engagement member 521 whichextends from a position at or near the first end 501. Still further, andas earlier discussed the main body 503 has a second, shorter engagementmember 522 which extends from a position near the second end 502. Again,the first, and longer engagement member 521 has a distal end 523 whichis operable to be received in one of the earlier described engagementregions formed in the bracket base, or in the bracket body dependingupon the form of the invention in which the bracket body insert 500 isemployed. Again, this same bracket body insert 500 has opposing movementrestraining members 524 which are mounted on the opposite first andsecond ends 501 and 502, respectively. The movement restraining members524 each have a cavity 525 which is formed therein, and which furthergives a clinician an opportunity to easily grasp or otherwise engage thebracket body insert 500 to easily place it, or remove it, from the archwire slot of the bracket body upon which it is employed.

In its broadest aspect therefore, the present invention includes anorthodontic bracket 400 which includes a bracket base 401 which isreleasably affixed to an anterior facing surface 12 of a patient's tooth11, and a bracket body 410 is mounted on the bracket base 401, and whichfurther has an anterior facing surface 411 which defines a transverselydisposed, and substantially cylindrically shaped cavity 420. In theinvention as disclosed, an arch wire insert 440 having a main body 443is defined, in part, by a longitudinal axis 444, and which is furtherreceived within the transversely disposed and substantiallycylindrically shaped cavity 420. The main body 443 of the arch wireinsert 440 further defines, at least in part, a transversely disposedarch wire slot 460 having a selectively adjustable cross-sectionaldimension. The arch wire insert 460 is selectively rotatable about thelongitudinal axis 444 thereof. In one form of the invention, asdisclosed, a bracket body insert 480 is provided, and which isreleasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot 460,and which further has a main body 483 which forms, at least in part, aportion of the arch wire slot 460. The bracket body insert 480substantially releasably fixes the rotatable orientation of the archwire slot 480 relative to the bracket body 410, and further selectivelyadjusts the cross-sectional dimension of the transversely disposed archwire slot 460 while the bracket base 401 is releasably attached to theanterior facing surface 12 of the patient's tooth 11. In one form of theinvention as disclosed, an arch wire 435 is received within thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 460 and which, acting incombination with the arch wire insert 440 provides a multiplicity ofselective torque expressions which individually forcibly act upon thepatient's tooth 11. These individual torque expressions achievepredetermined first, second and third orders of movement 13, 14 and 15,respectively of the patient's tooth 11.

Sixth Form of the Invention

The sixth form of the invention is generally indicated in FIGS. 21through 24, respectively. The sixth form of the invention 600 includes abracket base which is generally indicated by the numeral 601. Thebracket base, which is quite similar to that which was earlier disclosedwith the other forms of the invention, includes a pad 602, which isdefined by a peripheral edge 603. The pad 602 has an anterior facingsurface 604, and an opposite, posterior facing surface 605. A couplingportion 610 is made integral with the anterior facing surface 604. Thecoupling portion 610 defines a curved, dove tail shaped slot, which isindicated by the numeral 611. The coupling portion 610 is similar tothat which was earlier described with respect to the first form of theinvention 20. The curved dove tail slot 611 is further defined by a pairof spaced, and angled side walls 612, as illustrated in the drawings,and which forms a resulting truncated shaped passageway or channel,which is operable to receive a feature of the invention, which is madeintegral with the bracket body, as will be described below. Therespective sidewalls 612 define, in part, an elevated, central region613 of the coupling portion 610. The elevated central region 613 has acurved upwardly facing surface 614, having a curvature similar to theposterior facing surface of the bracket body, as will be described inthe paragraph, below. Additionally, as will be seen in the drawings, apair of curved guide channels 615 are formed on opposite sides of thecurved dove tail shaped slot 611 and are operable to matingly couplewith similar individual, curve-shaped rib structures which are formed inthe posterior facing surface of the bracket body as described in theparagraph, below. As was described in the other forms of the invention,a multiplicity of engagement regions 616, are formed in the couplingportion 610, and are operable to be engaged by the distal end of abracket body insert, as will also be described, below.

The sixth form of the invention 600 includes a bracket body 620, as seenin FIG. 21, and following. More specifically, the bracket body 620, asseen in the drawings, includes a main body 621, which has an anteriorfacing surface 622, and an opposite, posterior facing surface 623. Inthis regard the bracket body 620 has a superior facing surface 624, andan opposite inferior facing surface 625. The superior and inferiorfacing surfaces 624 and 625, respectively, define individual tie wings626 which can be engaged by a ligature, and which may be utilized whenemploying the bracket body 620, which is illustrated in FIG. 23. Withrespect to the bracket body as illustrated in FIG. 21, it will beunderstood that the bracket body 620, as illustrated therein, isoperable to cooperate with a movable gate 627, and whose operation iswell known in the art. The bracket body 620, as seen in FIG. 23,represents a bracket body upon which a ligature of conventional design627 a can engage the aforementioned tie wings 626 in order to secure thearch wire 628 therein. In this regard, the bracket body 620 defines anarch wire slot which is generally indicated by the numeral 640. The archwire slot 640, similar to that earlier described, includes a top surface641, and an opposite bottom surface 642. Still further as seen in FIG.24, a pair of passageways 643 (only one of which is shown), is formed inthe main body 621 of the bracket body 620 and which are individuallylocated endwardly relative to the arch wire slot 640. The respectivepassageways 643 are operable to matingly cooperate with individualengagement members which are made integral with a bracket body insert,as will be described, below. As further seen in FIG. 24, the bracketbody 620 defines a supporting rear wall 644, upon which a bracket bodyinsert may rest in juxtaposed mating relation. The supporting rear wall644 extends between the top and bottom surfaces 641 and 642,respectively.

The sixth form of the invention 600, as seen in FIG. 21, and following,includes a complimentary, uniformly curved surface 650, which is madeintegral with the posterior facing surface 623. This complimentary,uniformly curved surface 650 represents a male pin member 651, which issized so as to matingly, and movably coupled with the coupling portion610, and which is made integral with the bracket base 601. The male pinmember 651 is defined, in part, by sidewall 652, which have aninclination similar to that of the respective sidewalls 612, which forma portion of the curved dove tail shaped slot 611. As seen in FIG. 24,it should be understood that the male pin member 651 has a somewhattruncated shape when viewed in cross-section, and which is dimensionedto be matingly received within the curved, dove-tail shaped slot 611,which forms a part of the coupling portion 610. Again, the male pinmember 651 includes a complimentary curved surface 663 (FIG. 24), havinga curvature similar to the curved dove-tail shaped slot 611. Stillfurther, and as seen in FIG. 22, and adjacent to, and on the oppositesides of the male pin member 651, are a pair of elongated, and curvedguide members 654, which are dimensioned to be received within the pairof curved guide channels 615, as seen in FIG. 22. The respectiveelongated guide members 654 are individually operable to guide orotherwise direct the bracket body 620 along a curved path of travel asit rotates within the coupling portion 610. As will be appreciated, andwhile the curved dove-tail shaped slot 611 is shown having aconcave-like shape, and the male pin member 651, and more specificallythe complimentary curved surface 653, is shown as being convexly shaped,it will be recognized that these respective shapes could be reversed,and positioned on the opposite structure, and thus achieve the samebenefits as provided for in the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 23, respectively, the sixth form of theinvention 600 works, in combination, with a bracket body insert 660, andwhich is generally indicated by the numeral 660. The bracket body insertis similar in structure to that seen in FIG. 6. The bracket body inserthas a main body 661, which is dimensioned to be received within an archwire slot 640. Again, the main body 661 has a top or superior facingsurface 662, and an opposite, bottom facing surface 663. The main body661 is received, and is positioned between, the top and bottom surfaces641 and 642 of the arch wire slot 640. The bracket body insert 660includes an anterior facing surface 664, which forms the supporting rearwall of the arch wire slot 640, and which further extends between thetop and bottom surfaces 641 and 642. Still further, the bracket bodyinsert 660 has a posterior facing surface (not shown) and which rests injuxtaposed relation thereagainst the supporting rear wall 644. Again,the thickness dimension as measured between the anterior facing surface664, and posterior facing surface can be varied so as to allow thebracket body insert 660 to define an adjustable arch wire slot 640,which has a variable, pre-determined cross-sectional dimension whichallows a clinician to apply varying amounts of torque to the arch wire628, and which is positioned within the arch wire slot 640. Again, thebracket body insert 660 includes a pair of elongated engagement members670, only one of which is shown. (FIG. 21). One of the elongatedengagement members 670, includes a distal end 671, which is operable tobe received in one of the multiplicity of engagement regions 616. Again,the distal end 671 is operable to releasably, rotatably fix theorientation of the bracket body 620, in a given orientation relative tothe bracket base 601. To adjust the sixth form of the invention 600, thebracket body insert 660 may be grasped at the respective recessedregions 672, which is formed in the main body 661, and moved anteriorly,outwardly relative to the arch wire slot 640. Thereafter, the bracketbody 620 may be adjusted, appropriately, and then the bracket bodyinsert 660, and more specifically the elongated engagement member 670,may be received in one of the multiplicity of engagement regions 616.Thereafter, the arch wire 628 may be placed back in the arch wire slot640 and either the gate 627 closed, or in the alternative, the arch wire628 may be secured in the arch wire slot 640, by means of a suitableligature 627A, as seen in FIG. 23. The ligature as illustrated is notdrawn to an appropriate size so as to allow an illustration of theinventive concepts.

The advantages of the sixth form of the invention should be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art. With regard to the form of theinvention, as seen in FIG. 21 and following, it will be recognized thatthe same bracket base 601, including the coupling portion 610, may beutilized for either, on the one hand, a self-ligating bracketarrangement, as seen in FIG. 21, or further an active self ligationbracket arrangement, as seen in FIG. 23. The sixth form of the invention600 further allows the same bracket body insert 660 to be employed toaffect either the use of the bracket body with a passive self-ligatingarrangement (FIG. 21), or an active self-ligating arrangement (FIG. 23),or a conventional tied bracket. This particular form of the invention isquite desirable from a manufacturing standpoint inasmuch as the cost ofmanufacturing is substantially reduced and provides a range of passiveand active self-ligating brackets, which may be useful in a wide rangeof clinical settings in a manner not possible, heretofore.

Operation

In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to an orthodonticbracket, which is generally indicated by the numeral 10, and whichincludes a bracket base 21, which is releasably affixed to an anteriorfacing surface 12 of a patient's tooth 11. The orthodontic bracket 10further includes a bracket body 40, which is borne on the bracket base21, and which has an anterior facing surface 42, which defines atransversely disposed arch wire slot 60. The arch wire slot 60 furtherhas opposite, first and second ends 61 and 62, respectively. The archwire slot 60 has a selectively adjustable cross-sectional dimension, andfurther includes a central region or portion which is generallyindicated by the numeral 66. As illustrated in the drawings, the archwire slot 60 is movable in both the vertical and horizontal planes, andhas a central region, as earlier described. Still further, the arch wireslot 60 as noted above, has a selectively adjustable cross-sectionaldimension. Further, the orthodontic bracket 10 includes an arch wire 90,which is received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot 60.The bracket body 40, acting in combination with the arch wire 90, isselectively adjustable so as to provide a multiplicity of selectivetorque expressions 13, 14 and 15, respectively, and which individually,forcibly act on the patient's tooth 11. These first, second and thirdorders of movement of the patient's tooth occur without a clinicallypredetermined manipulation of the arch wire 90, which is received in thetransversely disposed arch wire slot 60. Further, rotation of the archwire slot 60 in either of the vertical or horizontal planes ismaintained about the central region 66 of the arch wire slot 60. This isa significant advancement in the way in which a clinician can addressorthodontic maladies inasmuch as the fine adjustment of a tooth positioncan now be performed in a manner which substantially prevents anyadverse vertical movement component or force vector being unduly appliedto the patient's tooth 11.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an orthodonticbracket which is generally indicated by the numeral 600, and which isseen in FIG. 21, and following. The orthodontic bracket 600 includes abracket base 601, having a pad 602, which is releasably affixed to ananterior facing surface 12 of a patient's tooth 11. The bracket base601, as illustrated, has an anterior facing surface 604, which defines acoupling portion 610. The coupling portion further has a curved,anterior or upwardly facing surface 614. As seen in the drawings, amultiplicity of engagement regions 616 are formed in a predeterminedspatial pattern in the curved anterior facing surface 614 of thecoupling portion 610. As further illustrated in the drawings, a bracketbody 620 is provided and which matingly, and movably cooperates with thebracket base 601, and which further has an anterior facing surface 622which defines an aperture which communicates with an arch wire slot 640.The arch wire slot 640 has spaced, top and bottom surfaces 641 and 642,respectively, and a given cross-sectional dimension. The transverselydisposed arch wire slot 640 communicates with the aperture 629 which isdefined by the anterior facing surface 622 of the bracket body 620.Still further, the transversely disposed arch wire slot 640 is furtheraccessible from the anterior facing surface 622 of the bracket body 620.The bracket body 620 has a complimentary, curved, posterior facingsurface 650, which matingly and movably engages the curved anteriorfacing surface 614 of the coupling portion 610 of the bracket base 601.The present invention also includes a bracket body insert 660, which isreleasably received within the transversely disposed arch wire slot 640,and which further has a main body 661, which forms a supporting backwall 664 of the transversely disposed arch wire slot 640. The supportingback wall 664 extends between the top and bottom surfaces 641 and 642,respectively, of the arch wire slot 640. The bracket body insert 660further has a main body 661, which has a predetermined length, heightand thickness dimension. The bracket body insert 660 selectively adjuststhe cross-sectional dimension of the transversely disposed arch wireslot 640. The bracket body insert 660 further includes an elongatedengagement member 670, which is oriented substantially perpendicularlyrelative to the main body 661 thereof, and which further has a distalend 671, which is operable to be received in one of the engagementregions 616 that are formed in the bracket base 601. The engagementmember 670 of the bracket body insert 660 is effective in selectivelyfixing the rotatable orientation of the movable bracket body 620relative to the bracket base 601. The orthodontic bracket 600 furtherincludes an arch wire 628, which is received within the transverselydisposed arch wire slot 640. The movable bracket body 640, acting incombination with the bracket body insert 660, selectively providesfirst, second and third order torque couples 13, 14 and 15,respectively, to a patient's tooth 11, to achieve a clinically desiredpositional correction of the patient's tooth 11, without the replacementof the orthodontic bracket base and/or the arch wire 628 during apredetermined clinical treatment regimen. Still further, the orthodonticbracket 600, in one form, and as seen in FIG. 21, further includes amovable gate, which is positioned on the anterior facing surface 622, ofthe bracket body 620, and which further selectively occludes theaperture 629, which is defined by the anterior facing surface 622 of thebracket body 620. As seen in FIG. 23, and in an alternative possiblevariation or form of the invention, an active self-ligating bracket isshown, and which does not include such a gate assembly. As will berecognized from the drawings, the transversely disposed arch wire slot640 is movable in both the vertical and horizontal planes and has acentral region 645. As will be recognized, and as was discussed earlier,during rotation of the arch wire slot 640, in either the vertical norhorizontal planes, the arch wire slot is substantially verticallymaintained about the central region of the arch wire slot 645, therebyproviding numerous benefits to the clinician which have not beenavailable in other prior orthodontic assemblies which have been utilizedheretofore. The orthodontic bracket 600, as seen, can achieve first,second and third orders of movement of the patient's tooth 11 without aclinically predetermined manipulation of the arch wire, and which isreceived in the transversely disposed arch wire slot. These features, incombination, are novel, and not found in a single prior art referenceknown to the inventors named in this patent application.

Therefore, it will be seen that the orthodontic bracket, in its variousforms, as shown, in the present application, provides numerous means forreadily, and easily treating a variety of orthodontic maladies in amanner not possible, heretofore. The present device is easy to employ;allows a clinician to use a single arch wire for the vast majority ofclinical applications; allows a clinician to use lighter force archwires, which provides greater comfort for patients; and additionallyallows clinicians to rotate and move a patient's teeth in a manner whichcan achieve superior results, in shorter treatment times, and withgreatly improved clinical results.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific as to structural and methodical features.It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown and described, since the means hereindisclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the proper scope of the appended claimsappropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

We claim:
 1. An orthodontic bracket, comprising: a bracket base which isreleasably affixed to an anterior facing surface of a patient's tooth; abracket body which movably cooperates with the bracket base, and whereinthe bracket body has an anterior facing surface which defines, at leastin part, a transversely disposed arch wire slot which communicates withthe anterior facing surface of the bracket body; a bracket body insertwhich is releasably received within the transversely disposed arch wireslot, and which further forms, at least in part, a portion of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the bracket bodyinsert further selectively fixes the orientation of the movable bracketbody relative to the bracket base; and an arch wire received within thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the movable bracketbody, acting in combination with the bracket body insert, eachrespectively engage the arch wire to provide a multiplicity of torqueexpressions which individually forcibly act upon the patient's tooth. 2.An orthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the bracketbody, and the bracket body insert can selectively cause first, second,and third orders of movement of the patient's tooth by utilizing thesame arch wire, and wherein the transversely disposed arch wire slot hasa cross-sectional dimension, and wherein the bracket body insert isoperable to selectively adjust the cross-sectional dimension of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot.
 3. An orthodontic bracket asclaimed 2, and wherein the bracket base further comprises: amultiplicity of engagement regions which are formed in a predeterminedspatial pattern in the bracket base; and a coupling portion formatingly, movable engaging cooperation with the bracket body, andwherein the bracket body has a posterior facing surface which matingly,and movably engages the coupling portion of the bracket base.
 4. Anorthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the couplingportion of the bracket base has a predetermined, substantially uniformcurvature, and the posterior facing surface of the bracket body has acomplimentary, substantially uniformly curved surface which matingly,and movably engages the coupling portion of the bracket base.
 5. Anorthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the transverselydisposed arch wire slot is defined, in part, by spaced, top and bottomsurfaces which are located at a predetermined distance, and insubstantially parallel relation one relative to the other, and whereinthe bracket body insert has an elongated main body having opposite firstand second ends, and predetermined height and thickness dimensions, andwherein the height dimension of the main body of the bracket body insertis less than about the distance as measured between the top and bottomsurfaces which define, in part, the transversely disposed arch wireslot, and wherein the main body of the bracket body insert forms a backwall of the transversely disposed arch wire slot, and which furtherextends between the top and bottom surfaces of the arch wire slot, andwherein the thickness dimension of the main body of the bracket bodyinsert is selectively variable so as to cause the transversely disposedarch wire slot to have a selective, predetermined cross-sectionaldimension.
 6. An orthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 5, and whereinthe bracket body has opposite sides which are located at a givendistance, one relative to the other, and wherein the main body of thebracket body insert has a length dimension which is less than thedistance as measured between the opposite sides of the bracket body. 7.An orthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 5, and wherein bracket bodyinsert further comprises at least one planar surface which extendsanteriorly, perpendicularly, outwardly relative to the main body of thebracket body insert, and into the transversely disposed arch wire slot,and wherein the at least one planar surface is disposed in substantiallyjuxtaposed, parallel relation relative to one of the top or bottomsurfaces of the arch wire slot so as to reduce the distance as measuredbetween the top and bottom surfaces which define, at least in part, thetransversely disposed arch wire slot and cause the cross-sectionaldimension of the arch wire slot to be reduced, and thus allows a smallerdimensioned arch wire to be placed within the transversely disposed archwire slot.
 8. An orthodontic bracket as claimed in claim 5, and whereinthe bracket body insert further comprises a pair of spaced planarsurfaces which individually extend anteriorly, perpendicularly,outwardly relative to the main body of the bracket body insert, and intothe transversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the pair ofspaced, planar surfaces are individually disposed in juxtaposed parallelrelation relative to the respective top and bottom surfaces of thetransversely disposed arch wire slot, and wherein the pair of spacedplanar surfaces both serve to reduce the cross-sectional dimension ofthe transversely disposed arch wire slot.
 9. An orthodontic bracket asclaimed in 8, and wherein the respective planar surfaces are coupled tothe main body of the bracket body insert at a weakened joint, andwherein the individual respective planar surfaces may be readilydetached from the main body by the application of a force which isapplied to the individual planar surfaces.
 10. An orthodontic bracket asclaimed in claim 5, and wherein the bracket body insert has anengagement member which is mounted on one of the opposite ends of themain body, and which further has a distal end which is operable to bereceived in one of the multiplicity of engagement regions which areformed in the bracket base, and wherein the receipt of the distal end ofthe engagement member in one of the engagement regions releasably fixesthe rotatable orientation of the bracket body relative to the bracketbase.